Post doc in population genomics

Aarhus Universitet; Denmark; On-site; DKK 420,000 - 540,000; Full time

Job summary

Aarhus University invites applications for a fixed-term 2-year post-doctoral position in evolutionary genomics and bioinformatics in the Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark. The successful candidate will analyze whole-genome sequencing and resequencing data from insects and spiders, including historical and museum specimens, and develop reproducible computational workflows.

Collaborations span the Centre for Ecological Genetics and other groups, with responsibilities spanning data

Qualifications

• PhD in evolutionary genomics or a closely related field.
• Strong theoretical and practical background in evolutionary genomics and population genetics.
• Experience applying evolutionary-genomic methods to whole-genome data.
• Hands-on experience with bioinformatic analysis of whole-genome sequencing and resequencing data.
• Experience with quality control, variant discovery and filtering.
• Strong computational skills with command-line, scripting (R, Python, Bash) and HPC.
• Ability to develop, modify and troubleshoot bioinformatic workflows independently.
• Experience with complex genomic datasets, including historical/museum material and low-coverage data.
• Solid understanding of population-genetic and evolutionary-genomic methods and their limitations.
• Experience with statistical analysis of genomic and ecological data.

Responsibilities

• De novo genome assembly and annotation.
• Processing of whole-genome resequencing data, variant discovery and filtering.
• Downstream population-genetic and evolutionary-genomic analyses.
• Extensive data processing, quality control and computational preprocessing before analyses.
• Develop, adapt and troubleshoot computational workflows for diverse datasets.
• Collaborate with students, postdocs, and faculty; contribute to research questions and interpretation.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Evolutionary genomics

Population genetics

Command-line

R

Python

Bash

Genome assembly

Data processing

Education

PhD in evolutionary genomics or related field

Tools

R

Python

Bash

HPC

Job description

Applications are invited for a 2-year post-doctoral position in the field of evolutionary genomics and bioinformatics at the Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Denmark.

Expected start date and duration of employment

This is a fixed-term 2-year position with a start of 01 August 2027.

• You will work primarily with bioinformatic and evolutionary-genomic analyses of whole-genome sequencing and resequencing data from non-model arthropods, particularly insects and spiders.
• A substantial part of the work will involve processing and analyzing genomic data from historical and museum specimens, including datasets characterized by variable DNA quality and sequencing coverage.
• The position will involve de novo genome assembly and annotation, processing of whole-genome resequencing data, variant discovery and filtering, and downstream population-genetic and evolutionary-genomic analyses.
• The work will require substantial data processing, quality control and computational preprocessing before biological analyses can be conducted.
• Projects will investigate how life history, demography and environmental variation influence evolutionary processes and patterns of genomic variation.
• Another major research topic will be the analysis of adaptive variation and its association with environmental and ecological parameters using large and heterogeneous population-genomic datasets.
• The successful candidate will work with datasets from species for which genomic resources, reference genomes and established analytical workflows may be limited or incomplete.
• You will be expected to develop, adapt and troubleshoot computational workflows as required by individual datasets and research questions.
• The position combines collaborative research with independent responsibility for genomic analyses, interpretation of results and development of research questions.
• You will collaborate closely with students, PhD students, postdocs and faculty members within the research group and with colleagues at the Centre for Ecological Genetics at the Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution.

Your profile

Applicants should hold a PhD in evolutionary genomics or similar.

• Strong theoretical and practical background in evolutionary genomics and population genetics, with demonstrated experience applying evolutionary-genomic methods to whole-genome data.
• Extensive hands‑on experience with bioinformatic analysis of whole-genome sequencing and resequencing data, including quality control, variant discovery, filtering and downstream genomic analyses.
• Strong computational skills, including substantial experience with command-line environments, scripting/programming (R, Python and Bash), high-performance computing and development of reproducible analysis pipelines.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop, modify and troubleshoot bioinformatic workflows, including diagnosing computational and analytical problems when established pipelines or software are not directly applicable.
• Experience working with complex, heterogeneous or challenging genomic datasets, including historical or museum material, variable-quality DNA, low-coverage data and non-model organisms.
• Comprehensive understanding of population-genetic and evolutionary-genomic methods and their underlying assumptions and limitations.
• Demonstrated experience with statistical analysis of genomic and ecological data, including multivariate analyses, demographic inference, population structure, genetic diversity and/or genotype–environment associations.
• Ability to work across multiple stages of genomic analysis, from raw sequencing data and genome assembly through variant processing, population-genetic analyses, statistical modelling and biological interpretation.
• Demonstrated ability to independently complete research projects, including data processing, analysis, interpretation, manuscript preparation and publication.
• Strong ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to collaborative research projects.
• Experience with supervision, mentoring or training of students and junior researchers is desirable.
• The position requires substantial existing expertise in computational evolutionary genomics, and the successful candidate will be expected to work independently with limited methodological training.

Who we are

The Section for Genetics, Ecology and Evolution at the Department of Biology performs evolutionary research on a broad range of questions and systems and provides a strong and international research environment. The Centre for Ecological Genetics provides a strong and vibrant research environment in ecological genomics, landscape genomics, evolutionary genetics and population genomics. The work environment is open and collaborative with many academic and social activities.

What we offer

The department/centre offers:

• a well-developed research infrastructure, laboratories and access to shared equipment
• an exciting interdisciplinary environment with many national and international collaborators and researchers at all levels
• a research climate encouraging lively, open and critical discussion within and across different fields of research
• a work environment with close working relationships, networking and social activities
• a workplace characterised by professionalism, equality and a healthy work-life balance.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is the Department of Biology, Section for Genetics, Ecology & Evolution, Centre for Ecological Genetics,
Aarhus University
Ny Munkegade 116
DK - 8000 Aarhus C

Applications must be received no later than 23 September 2026.

Salary and terms

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Equality and diversity

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research evaluation

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Services and support for international researchers

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

Junior Researcher Development Programme

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

Faculty support and career development

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent.

Appointment terms

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxationand the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.